Chain



Dec. 24, 1929. s. A. JOHNSON 1,740,394

I CHAIN Filed Jan; 15, 1929 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 24, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SYLVESTER A. JOHNSON, OF NORTH PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO SPEIDEL BROS, A FIRM COMPOSED OF EDWIN F. M. SPEIDEL AND ALBERT E. R. SPEIDEL, BOTH 0F EDGEWOOD, RHODE ISLAND CHAIN Application filed January 15, 1929. Serial No. 332,711.

This invention relates to a chain of the type worn more particularly as a wrist band for securing a wrist watch on the wrist of the wearer; and has for its object to provide asheet metal construction consisting of the minimum number of parts which may be multiplied in great quantities and assembled by a simple bending operation.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a sheet metal construction having two similarly formed parts which may be flexibly secured together by oppositely disposing the parts and bending portions of one over portions of another so as to secure them in assembled position.

The invention further consists in the forming of a link channel shape in longitudinal cross section with a connector member also U or channel shaped, straddling the adjacent end walls of the links to loosely but flexibly connect the same together with the provision of means for holding the links and connectors in assembled position.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, as will be more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. l is a top plan view of the series of connected links.

Fig. 2 is a bottom view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of a sheet metal blank from which the link is folded.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the sheet metal links folded into shallow box construction with the flanges at the sides of the link in a position previous to being folded over portions of the connector to secure the same in position.

Fig. 5 is a perspective View of the connector member.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged bottom view of a pair of links with the connector member in place and the side flanges folded into position.

Fig. 7 is aview similar to Fig. 6 with the side flanges folded in position.

Fig. 8 is a section on line 88 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a section on line 99 of Fig. 7

Fig. 10 is a section on line 10-10 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 11 is a section similar to Fig. 9 but showing the links as moved to relatively angular positions illustrating the flexibility permitted by the connection shown.

In the use of wrist bands made of metal for the attachment of a watch and the like to the arm of the wearer, it is found desirable to provide a metal chain construction which has somewhat the appearance of a solid band but yet is flexible and may be formed of the minimum number of parts which may be multl plied in great quantities and connected together by a simple bending operation and in order to provide such a construction, I have formed from sheet metal a channel shape link and have provided a channel or U-shapec. connector to straddle and loosely fit over two adjacent channel walls of the link to permit a flexing movement of the parts, the same being connected by suitably folding portions of the link over portions of this connector to secure the same in assembled position; and the following is a detailed description of the present embodiment of this invention illustrating the preferred means by which these advantageous results are accomplished:

lVith reference to the drawings, 12 designates a blank cut from sheet stock into the shape indicated in Fig. 3, after which it is bent into the shallow box construction illus trated in Fig. 4 with a top wall 13, and rearwardly extending portions forming end walls let and side walls 15. The links thus formed are arranged in series, as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 6 and 7 with a U or channel shaped connector 16 having side walls 17 and a connecting bridge portion 18 positioned over two adjacent end walls of the adjacent links to loosely fit the same and permit a movement of the links one relative to the other, as illustrated in Fig. 11.

At each side of the connector, the U-shaped walls are spread out, as illustrated in Fig. 5, to form wings 20, oppositely extending from the connector member and at each side thereof, and over these wings there is bent the flange 21 which has a dimension extending longitudinally of the chain suflicient to cover a portion of the wings of the connector members at each end of the link so that the connectors are securely although loosely connected in position to permit a flexibility of the links one upon the other as desired.

The above construction may be formed from sheet stock connected by bending the flanges on the links over the wings of the connectors thus forming a construction having the appearance of heavy block links yet light and durable and sufliciently strong to resist the strains to which it is subjected and yet one which is of an attractive appearance.

The foregoing description is directed sole.- ly towards the construction illustrated, but I desire it to be understood that I reserve the privilege of resorting to all the mechanical changes to which the device is susceptible, the invention being defined and limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a chain construction, a series of links, each having a top wall and rearwardly-extending portions at each end thereof with the portion at one end of one link adjacent to an end portion of the next link, connector members for said links each having a rear surface and forwardly-extending spaced portions between which said rearwardly-extending' portions of the links are positioned, and means on said links folded. over said rear surface of said members for retaining said links and members in said relative positions.

2. In a chain construction, a series of links,

each having a top wall and rearwardly-extending portions at each end thereof with the portion at one end of one link adjacent to an end portion of the next link, connector mem bers for said link having forwardly-extending spaced portions between which said rearwardly-extending portions of the links are positioned, and means for retaining said links and members in said relative positions comprising wings on said connecting members and flanges extending inwardly from the links and over said wings. 3. In a chain construction, a series of oppositely disposed open channel members each having parallel walls positioned with the channel walls of one member straddling the channel walls of two adjacent members and loosely fitting therein whereby a flexibility of the members one on the other is permitted, and means for holding said members in such relation.

4. In a chain construction, a series of oppositely disposed channel members positioned with the channel walls of one member straddling the channel walls of two adjacent members and loosely fitting therein whereby a flexibility of the members one on the other is permitted, and means for holding said members in such relation, comprising wings onsaid connecting members and flanges extending inwardly from the links and over said Wings. 7 v

5. In a'ohain constructiom'a series of links each channel shape in longitudinal cross sec tion with top and end walls, connector members also generally channel shape in longitudinal cross section and oppositely disposed with reference to the channel links and positioned to loosely receive in its channel the adjacent end walls of adjacent links, a pair of oppositely extending wings at each side of each connector member, side walls on each link, and flanges extending inwardly from each side wall of a width sufficient to cover the wings at one side of the two connector members flexibly securing the opposite ends of each link to the next adjacent links at each side thereof.

6. In a chain construction, a series of links each having a top wall, and rearwardly-extending side and end walls forming a shallow inverted box, U-shaped members each straddling the end walls of adjacent links, and having ends at each side bent outwardly to form wings, and inwardlyextending flanges on said side walls overlying said wings to hold said members and links in said connected relation. v

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

SYLVESTER A. JOHNSON. 

